India, April 13 -- A Maoist was killed in an exchange of fire with security personnel in Chhattisgarh's Kanker district on Monday, days after the state was declared free of armed Left-wing insurgents on March 31.

Police said the gun battle took place in a forested area when a joint team of security personnel was out on an anti-Maoist operation. "So far, the body of a woman Maoist, along with a weapon, has been recovered from the spot," an officer said. The slain Maoist was identified as Rupi, a member of the Maoists' Partapur area committee.

The operation was still underway in the area, and further details were awaited, police said.

Union home minister Amit Shah told Parliament last month that the March 31 deadline for ending Left-wing...